Finishing the San Antonio Marathon

Yea... I finished the San Antonio Marathon. The finish is always a celebration! It has been five years since my last full marathon (26.2 miles). The preparation and completion of this marathon was a different process for me. Though I have always used spiritual meditation to connect with God, I made it more intentional and I expanded my practice.

During the marathon there were times of ease, when I was connected to the crowd, my breath, and my body. I enjoyed these times. I made it a point to give high fives to the children in the audience, wave and smile. Marathon running often represents the overcoming of obstacles with the race a symbol of the challenges one is experiencing. I talked to a man pushing his friend who was in a wheelchair. We made a connection of sharing a similar experience: the marathon itself and having a loved one with a disability. It was a moment of connection and support for each of us. There were many running for a charity and I would acknowledge some as I passed by, offering encouragement or asking a question. There were military persons along the way and I thanked them for their service. Each person had their own story and I would often think about their life and try to get a picture of their reason for completing this distance. Often the reason was apparent by their physical appearance (the lady I assumed had cancer as she had no hair or the man with an artificial leg) but often their story was hidden from my view. I would imagine and try to get some clues, then I would bless them and move on.

During the periods of challenge, pain and discomfort, I would practice mindfulness. I would briefly acknowledge my pain, then offer it as a sacrificial practice for those that are suffering or for those that can't run. I prayed for Brendon, my friend in the hospital, a friend with cancer, the alcoholic and the troubled marriages. I prayed for Ryan, Andrew, those who have lost loved ones, my husband, my finances, and the government. Through long uninterrupted periods of time I thought of others in an effort to manage my own discomfort. Each time a discomfort or pain was too much I was propelled by the connection with the suffering of others. Returning to the breath was my reconnection with God and offering for others. This practice moved me forward one step at a time.

It was a beautiful day, cool enough in the morning for gloves and long sleeves but as I continued forward on the path the warmth of the sun quickly brought me to a more comfortable temperature. There was a slight wind at times especially the last half of the race. There were times of challenge in maneuvering through the vast amounts of people on the course. As we moved out of the city into the mission district of San Antonio for the second half of the race the road became clearer and the silence more prominent. I found this a relief and had more opportunity to practice meditation as I ran through discomfort and pain. I was most connected in my suffering during miles 17-20 and again at miles 20-22. I used the practice of offering my suffering as a sacrifice for the suffering of others.

Through perseverance I made it toward the end, sprinting the last .2 miles to cross the finish. I was sore, it was hard, but I was filled with contentment and confidence. I could hear the voice of God say: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

On the Downslide

As the San Antonio marathon approaches, Sunday Nov. 16, my training has decreasesd over the past two weeks. Today will be my last long run, 6 miles. Next weeks run is only 30 minutes. Then it's the full marathon. As the days have gotten shorter and fall is in full swing it has been more difficult these past weeks to be energized to run. I find myself wanting to stay in bed and not face the cool of the morning. I have also found myself at the YMCA track more often, not wanting to face the outside world. This reflects my current mood, a little gloomy, lazy, and depressed. I seek the comfort of home, the warmth of the heat, the mindlessness of watching TV. I don't want to face action and living life on life's terms. But God continues to call me to do what I often find myself not wanting to do. He nudges me out of bed on a cool Saturday morning like today and tells me it's time to run, time to connect with him in meditation as I breath through the miles and put one foot in front of the other. It is not complicated, it is simple. As you wake up this morning, take some time to enjoy the beauty of this Saturday, honoring God and family with intention, breathing in the gift of life, and following the simple path.